The Distance to Overtake calculator computes the distance required to overtake a vehicle based on the speeds of the two vehicles and the head start.
INSTRUCTION: Choose units and enter the following:
- (h) Distance between the vehicle (i.e. the head start)
- (V1) Velocity of Chase Vehicle.
- (V2) Velocity of Lead Vehicle.
Distance to Overtake (d): The calculator returns the distance in miles. However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
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The Math / Science
The formula for the time required to overtake is:
d = V1•h / (V1 - V2)
where:
- d is the distance required at the specified velocities for vehicle 1 to overtake vehicle 2.
- h is the distance between the vehicles or the head-start.
- V1 is the velocity of vehicle one
- V2 is the velocity of vehicle two.
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